Minimalism – I am enjoying Courtney Carver’s Be More with Less blog and attempting some of her mini-missions, starting with ‘five in ten’. This involved mining my wardrobe for five items that I have not worn in a year, then bagging and donating them. Found this oddly exhilarating and hope it might spark a more ambitious (and long overdue) clutter cull.

Mind games – Changing my self talk from “I have to” to “I get to” is helping a little with the tedium of getting two strong-willed preschoolers to swimming lessons on time, dipped, dried, dressed and home again without meltdowns (by me or them).

Masterpieces – I’m no fine art buff, but I was lured into Monet’s waterlily pond by a gorgeous friend who has recently been appointed to a plum role at the NGV. She treated me to a guided tour explaining the historical and social content, and how Monet literally flipped the art world on its head by painting reflections. I can highly recommend spending an afternoon getting acquainted with French Impressionism (words I never thought I’d say) by wandering through Monet’s Garden till 8 September.

Man on a mission – I love Jamie Oliver. He inspired many in May with his Food Revolution Day. According to Jamie, “Essential cooking skills are just as important as reading and writing, in this day and age, the rise of diet related illness has become the biggest killer on the planet”. And so I took the kids to the market, they picked a pumpkin, and we made soup together, which they guzzled. One small step towards hopefully passing on to them an appreciation and life long love of food.

Muddy puddles – Kinda forgotten how to entertain the kids on a rainy day. It’s been a while. And I’d fallen into the adult trap of seeing rain as an inconvenience, not entertainment. But the boys convinced me to don our gumboots and get amongst it. Splashing in muddy puddles was super fun! And the hot baths and warm Milo that followed were sweeter than usual.

Mindfulness – In my effort to live more consciously and deliberately, I’m keeping a food diary using the MyFitnessPal phone app. It’s been an eye opening exercise. Has not stopped me eating things I shouldn’t, but it certainly has made me more aware.

Music – Nothing lifts my mood quicker than dancing. Mama Kin’s Apple Tree song (from the Talisman album) and The Little Stevies‘ Dear Daniel (from Most Requested) are on loop in my speakers because both are guaranteed to get the kids and I groovin’. I love hearing my two year old sing “shoo-be-do-do-do”. Sure beats repetitive Wiggles!

Marriage – Been surrounded by betrothed couples this month, which I love. Went wedding venue hunting with my sister-in-law. Lunched with a friend who’s planning a barefoot beach ceremony in Fiji in weeks. Booked four celebrant gigs, a role which I adore playing. Discovered gorgoeus Luminare in South Melbourne. And found the perfect reading for a couple’s children to recite, Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss. Weddings make me happy.

Markets – I have a hereditary obsession with handmade markets. From jam to jewellery, if it’s been made locally with love, and packaged beautifully, I’m a sucker for it. So my wallet got a workout at Federation Square’s Markit, which featured 100 of Australia’s most coveted independent designers. My favourite finds included jelly mould hanging planters by Angus&Celeste, journals by Rebound Books, spunky boys gear by Furious Kingston, the fox coat by Sunday Morning Designs, creative packaging inspiration by Blank Goods, the stylish family tree by Bilingual, and lovely Martine’s Vintage Prints. The organisers also stage The Big Design Market on 6-8 December. Pop it in your calendar and come meet the makers, buy and admire.

Magazines – In May’s Women’s Weekly the gorgeous Sarah Murdoch talked about reprioritising her commitments according to what would most inspire her children. She said “If I’m going to be away from them, working on something, it should be something that, when they grow up, they respect me for”. Can I get an amen?

Thanks for indulging my May musing.

I make these monthly lists to focus on what make me happy, and stop my endless ‘to do’ task list from being the dominant demand on my brain space.

It’s not hip to admit but… I had a blast with Bryan Adams live at Rod Laver tonight.

It’s weird how you can not hear a song for decades, and yet still know all the words by heart.

With sixteen albums to his name, Bryan had no trouble filling a couple of hours with hits the 10,000 strong crowd could sing along to with gusto. And there’s something magical about being part of a chorus that large, live and loud.

It was a night of retro rock fun, which gave me flashbacks to my teen loves. Such a pleasure to relive dancing around the house to Summer of ‘69, swooning over Everything I Do, and sneaking out my bedroom window to Run To You. Good times!

Tapping such nostalgia might just be the secret to being 18 Til I Die.